Maharashtra govt bans plastic bag usage

Maharashtra government has decided to ban the use of plastic bags, which choked the water outlets and caused water logging in the state leading to huge losses in the recent floods.

"Mumbai alone suffered losses of around Rs 4,000 crore, including damage to property, in the recent floods due to choking of drains because of plastic bags, which also had its effect on public health," chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said after a meeting of the state cabinet here.

However, the government would give a 30-day period before implementing the decision, in order to enable individuals and organisations to file their objections and suggestions, Deshmukh said.

Traders, retailers and hawkers found using plastic bags would be fined Rs 5,000 or asked to pay a fine proportionate to the stock of such bags found with them, he said adding that third time offenders would face a three-month imprisonment.

Similarly, enforcing authorities would also be penalised with steps like stoppage of increments, for failure to implement the ban, Deshmukh said.

"For third time offenders, we will resort to a departmental inquiry, leading to suspension of the official,"he said.

The demand for a ban on plastic bags was made by several sections of the society and the media had also highlighted the perils of using them, the chief minister said.